US Senate Approves New Sanctions Bill Against Russia

The US Senate has passed a new sanctions bill against Russia with a final vote. A total of 86 senators voted in favor of the legislation, while 11 voted against. The bill was approved during the Senate's last session before the summer recess.

The initiative not only proposes new restrictions on Russia but also secondary sanctions against countries and companies that maintain significant economic ties with Moscow or assist in circumventing existing restrictions. If the bill is enacted, the US may impose additional tariffs on goods from countries that continue to cooperate with Russia in certain sectors.

Its sponsors emphasize that the aim is to increase economic pressure on Russia and contribute to resolving the conflict in Ukraine. The bill is now set to be discussed in the House of Representatives, which will resume work only in September.

Meanwhile, Republican Senator Rand Paul has criticized the initiative, stating that it could have negative repercussions for American citizens. He noted that the bill could lead to an increase in taxes for Americans by nearly half a trillion dollars, as tariffs are, in effect, paid by consumers of imported goods. Paul also pointed out that the initiative may not contribute to resolving the Ukrainian crisis and could harm US strategic positions worldwide.